Special Announcement: Club members were honored to invite Congressman Denny Heck to the podium for a brief Washington DC update. Congressman Heck shared his two areas of focus and priorities:

As Chairman of the Housing Coalition and member of the pro-Growth Democrats: Housing is a major priority and presents a key opportunity for economic growth.

Congressman Heck is a Member of the House Select Committee on Intelligence – providing oversight for all 17 intelligence organizations. The House Select Committee on Intelligence is a bipartisan committee and encourage members to have patient in the process.

Program: Olympia City Council Member Jim Cooper introduced Renee Sunde – City of Olympia EDC Director for today’s Program. Renee brings 25 years of EDC work to the City of Olympia. Renee achieved a high degree of successful program implementation in her former role as Duty Director of Thurston County Economic Development Council.

Mrs. Sunde began her presentation describing that economic development requires a coordinated effort with strong polices and a business culture focused on strategic partners. In only a year and half, Olympia is enjoying a renewed interest in the revitalization of its downtown thanks to Mrs. Sundee’s coordinated approach.

Highlights for 2016 was Sales Tax Revenue was up 7.1%; Construction Revenue increased 23% and multiple projects broke ground. Renee briefly highlighted other accomplishments like the city’s coordinated Auto Mall strategy – they are actively recruiting, Zoning changes at the Briggs Village, adoption of the Community Renewal Action Plan (allowing City to purchase blighted property for renewal and reuse, State of Washington’s $69M project that is changing the gateway to Downtown Olympia, and the City’s renewed focus on small business growth.

Mrs. Sundee closed the program with a photo slide show highlighting the changing landscape of Olympia. Connect to the City website for more information regarding the City of Olympia’s economic development strategy.